Chicken Creole Soup
A hearty, bold-flavored chicken creole soup with smoky peppers, herbs, and a savory tomato base, perfect for large gatherings or family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 (No. 10) can chili sauce ⓘ
- 1 (No. 10) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 (No. 10) can tomato juice ⓘ
- 2 gal. water ⓘ
- 5 tomatoes, diced ⓘ
- 6 red peppers, diced ⓘ
- 3 red onions, julienned ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. cumin ⓘ
- 1/2 c. thyme ⓘ
- 1/2 c. oregano ⓘ
- 1/2 c. crushed chilies ⓘ
- 7 c. pepperoni, julienned
- 3 lb. cooked chicken, julienned or shredded ⓘ
- 1 c. fresh garlic ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large pot.
- Bring to a simmer and cook until flavors meld and vegetables are tender.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra depth of flavor, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or a splash of vinegar to the mix. If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can be a substitute, using about 1 teaspoon for each clove. To enhance the soup's richness, you might also stir in a spoonful of sour cream before serving. This Chicken Creole Soup is versatile and can be adapted with your favorite vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a filling meal. It pairs beautifully with Chicken With Squash for a varied dinner spread. For added texture, consider topping each bowl with some crushed tortilla chips or shredded cheese. A simple side salad can complement the dish nicely, balancing the flavors and adding freshness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Chicken Creole Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of water or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Creole Soup contains roughly 501 calories, with 22g protein, 85g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (379% of the Daily Value), iron (197% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (93% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1397mg per serving (61% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh chicken instead of cooked chicken?
Yes, you can use fresh chicken. Simply cook it thoroughly before adding it to the soup. You may want to sauté it in the pot before adding other ingredients, allowing it to brown slightly for added flavor.
How spicy is this soup?
The heat level depends on the amount of crushed chilies you add. For a milder soup, reduce the amount of crushed chilies or omit them altogether. You can always adjust the spiciness to your preference while cooking.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the chicken with beans or lentils for protein, and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can also add more vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms to enhance the flavor while keeping it vegetarian.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).